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Graph shows the seven day moving average in White County from the Dec. 28th report via the Georgia Department of Public Health.
The rate of new COVID-19 infections in White County has risen over the past month, while Georgia experienced a spike in cases over the recent holiday weekend as the Omicron variant continues to spread.
The county’s seven-day moving average of confirmed cases was at 7.9 cases per day, according to a Dec. 28 update from the Georgia Department of Public Health. That’s up from the average of 1.3 reported Nov. 28.
The Dec. 28 state public health report lists White County as having 4,682 confirmed cases diagnosed from PCR testing and 117 confirmed deaths attributed to COVID-19 during the pandemic. (DPH notes only positives from PCR tests are used to identify confirmed cases.) In addition, there have been 364 positives reported from antigen rapid tests and 17 probable COVID-19 deaths, according to DPH.
Last year, the county saw a spike in confirmed cases begin in November and carry through February. That case rate so far this winter has not reached that same level as the this time last year when the seven-day average was at 22.1 on Dec. 28, 2020.
Public health officials, however, noted a recent spike in the number of positive cases reported in the state due to the quick spread of the Omicron variant is similar to the first months of COVID-19 infections.
State public health reported that 11,238 of the county’s estimated residents are now considered fully vaccinated, around 38% of the population, as of Dec. 28. A total of 12,146 people are listed as having received at least one vaccine dose, about 41% of the population. The report states 4,258 residents have received an additional booster dose.
DPH reports that 53% of Georgians are considered fully vaccinated and 60% have received at least one dose.
District 2 Public Health Director Dr. Zachary Taylor urged the public to take steps to combat the virus.
“Vaccination is the most important strategy available to us against COVID-19 variants, but we must also continue to use a layered approach of protection to keep our communities safe and healthy,” he said.
Officials are urging communities to stay vigilant and use all mitigation strategies available to minimize the burden on hospitals, families and communities.
The layered approach means wearing a mask while indoors, getting a booster shot if eligible, washing hands often, socially distancing when possible and getting a COVID test if you are feeling sick or if you have been around someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Meanwhile, Gov. Brian Kemp ordered up to 2,500 Georgia National Guard troops to prepare for deployment Tuesday as the state set a record high for coronavirus cases, Atlanta’s WGCL-TV reported Tuesday.
On Dec. 28, the state DPH reported 13,670 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 or likely cases detected by positive antigen rapid tests, the highest total since early January.
The National Guard troops are expected to be assigned to areas where they’re most needed, including hospitals and testing sites, which have seen long lines during the last couple of weeks.
Kemp last deployed the National Guard to respond to the COVID-19 crisis during a surge in cases in August. Before that, Guard troops were sent to hard-hit nursing homes during the early days of the pandemic in March of last year.